Best bang for my buck? Lighting

[zebvance]

Best bang for my buck? Lighting

Im looking into some new lights for my 240 for xmas. Right now I have 2 48" double bulb t12 VHO's each bulb running 40 watts so 160 watts total. It is barely enough light to see new growth coming from the hair grass in there. I dont want the lights for plants cause I dont plan on putting anymore in the tank. Just want more to see the fish better, and the bottom of the tank. So my question is what is the best bang for my buck. I would like to not go over 300 dollars if possible. and I would like to get at least around 500 watts total on the whole tank. Im looking for a cheap pair of 48" lights with the most wattage for 150 a piece. After I get the new lights I would like to sell the old ones, can somebody tell me what would be a good price to ask for them. I am attaching a pic of the light I currently have and then a pic of the tank.

Oh and I have a coralife t5 fixture on my 46 gallon and I like the look of with with the legs on it. something else like that would be nice.


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[CornBreadjiffy]

love it looks real great with everything

 

[Jody]

Not much money to work with you can look at this

http://www.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-48in-4x54W-T5-HO-Light-Fixture-Advance-p/52203.htm

http://www.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-72in-4x96W-Power-Compact-Light-Fixture-p/51206.htm

not sure on the seller but I have a few of them Fixtures and no problem you well have to change out the bulbs thought there kinda crap but you would get by for awhile

I did use this guy on E Bay found them great

http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-Lighting-Aqu...237?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c05009b5

Cool Aquarium I like it

 

[zebvance]

Bump

 

[tolawdjk]

Depending on the width of that hood or your willingness to build another one and work to rig a non-direct application.

http://www.prolighting.com/4fo3t5inst12.html

Thats 3 54W T5HO bulbs. They are saying the standard reflector comes in at 91%, though you can upgrade that to 95%. One solid reflector over individual ones though.

http://ahsupply.com/

I would look at their 54W kits. nominally 4 foot length. Each with individual reflectors. a two bulb kit costs $90. 3 kits would be in the $300 range but require some work on your part.

Honestly though, if your heart is insanely set on 500W, you are looking at MH and learning to love algae.

Oops, found one more

http://www.prolighting.com/6lat5flhibay.html

That will put in 6 54W T5HO. They will fill it with bulbs for $30, costing you $180. You just cover shipping and building the hood/mounting/outlet wiring.

 

[SubRosa]

Fyi you are not running VHos, you're running NO T-12s if they're 40W each at 48". You shouldn't need anywhere near that wattage. Since your current fixture is a homemade I'll assume you're at least a bit handy and suggest that you buy a pair of Workhorse 7 ballasts and 4 sets of T5 endcaps. You could retro them into your curent fixture for probably $100 and get over twice the light you currently have. You can't compare NO T12s watt for watt with the T5HOs as the T5s are much more efficient.

 

[Jody]

you can also check this out , I also agree with the above post if your handy retro your old one for T5's, Ballast end caps and reflectors all you need they produce very little heat so im sure you wont need any fans

http://www.4fishtank.com/light fixtures.htm

GL

 

[Mgamer20o0]

its a 2 foot wide tank the fixtures are what 8 inch wide or so and it looks like its pushed in the back. move the fixture more to the middle. also there is no reflectors so you are getting less light over the tank. i would also think about raising it up a little too so you get more of a spread. i dont think you need to worry about t5 lighting or anything. i just think you need to better adjust what you have maybe mod it a little

 

[alan j t]

i catalina aquarium lighting. i have 3 lamps and they are great.
they have a 5 yr warranty on the ballast and its made in the use, sac CA to be exact.
http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/index.php?cPath=71

but if your handy then get some retrofit stuff and save yourself a bunch of money. dont forget the refector.

 

[zebvance]

Fyi you are not running VHos, you're running NO T-12s if they're 40W each at 48". You shouldn't need anywhere near that wattage. Since your current fixture is a homemade I'll assume you're at least a bit handy and suggest that you buy a pair of Workhorse 7 ballasts and 4 sets of T5 endcaps. You could retro them into your curent fixture for probably $100 and get over twice the light you currently have. You can't compare NO T12s watt for watt with the T5HOs as the T5s are much more efficient.

Thank you for your input. I was told when I bought The lights that they were vhos. I will attach pics of the lights again and ballast that came with the lights. The lights say 40 watts on them. Do I have the wrong lights in them? I bought the lights with ballast and built the box for them. How ever dont want to try a retro fit kit because I want to do away with the box all together and I want to get a free standing lights like my coralife because I like the look better.